Childhood predictors of lifetime suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury in depressed adults

In this sample of depressed adults, the quality of ongoing, intra-familial relationships, as measured by levels of parental care, had a greater impact on suicide attempt and non-suicidal self-injury than abuse. As the findings were not a priori hypotheses, they require replication. Although the cross-sectional study design limits causal determination, the findings suggest different childhood risk factors for suicide attempt and non-suicidal self-injury and underscore the impact of low parental care on these two behaviours. These findings signal to clinicians the importance of asking specifically about suicide attempts, and non-suicidal self-injury, as well as levels of parental care in childhood. When endorsed, low parental care may be considered an important factor in contextualizing a patient's depression and potential risk for suicide and non-suicidal self-injury.